France remembers victims of January attacks on Paris

A wreath of flowers from the French President and Paris Mayor during a ceremony to pay tribute to the victims of last year's attacks outside the former offices of Charlie Hebdo. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

Commemorative plaques are unveiled around Paris honouring victims of the terrorist attacks of January 2015.

France remembers victims of January attacks on Paris

France is marking the anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo attack on 7 January 2015 that resulted in the death of 12 people.

French President Francois Hollande begun the commemorations by unveiling a plaque at the former offices.

The attack on Charlie Hebdo last year was followed by an attack on Kosher Supermarket Hypercacher and a hostage taking on January 8 and 9, resulting in a further eight deaths. In a series of commemorations marking the anniversaries, Hollande will also be unveiling a plague at the supermarket and at the Place de la Republique, which has become an unofficial place of public mourning.

A French soldier patrols after French President attended a ceremony to pay tribute to the victims of last year’s January attacks outside the Hypercacher kosher supermarket in Paris. REUTERS/Ian Langsdon/Pool

The commemorations will culminate in a public ceremony where a 10-metre-high memorial oak tree will be planted in the Place de la Republique.

The attacks marked the beginning of a year of tragedy in France with terrorist attacks by religious extremists taking the lives of 152 people.

Charlie Hebdo is a provocative satirical weekly newspaper. The attack sparked a worldwide movement in support of freedom of speech. Many people across social media and at rallies adopted the phrase “Je Suis Charlie” (I am Charlie) as a moniker of support.